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Opalized ammonite: A beautiful example from Alberta, Canada of the intersection of biological evolution and mineral evolution — the interplay between minerals and life. A hundred million years ago, the ammonite deposited its own hard carbonate shell — a "biomineral." In this rare case, that original carbonate shell was later replaced by the fiery mineral opal. Credit: ARKENSTONE/Rob Lavinsky

A view over Fisher Caldera in the foreground, looking out to Shishaldin Volcano, at a distance in 2015. The gray and gloomy tone of the photo is characteristic of the weather in the Aleutian Island. Photo is courtesy of Daniel Rasmussen of the National Museum of Natural History. Photo taken under Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Research and Monitoring Special Use Permit #74500-15-011.

Working with magnesium germanate, Mg2GeO4, analogous to one of the mantle’s most abundant silicate minerals, the team was able to glean information about the potential mineralogy of super-Earths and other large, rocky exoplanets. Under about 2 million times normal atmospheric pressure a new phase emerged with a distinct crystalline structure that involves one germanium bonded with eight oxygens. The new eight-coordinated, intrinsically discorded mineral is expected to strongly affect the internal temperature and dynamics of these planets. Illustration is courtesy of Rajkrishna Dutta.